Fabric-making machine.



G. E. BGELOW. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED DEG.30,1908. L'.,

Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

9 SHEETS-SHEET l.

.fig-T- i WIT/VESSEL? G. E. BIGELOW. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 30, 1908. Y 1,043,897., Patented N0v.12,1912.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fig- 5 80 TTOR Y l. l BGELO'W. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APFLIOATION FILED DEO. 30, 1908.

Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

George E.

WIT/VESSES Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

9 SHEETS-.SHEET 4.

W/TNESSES G. E. BIGELOW. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DB0.so, 190e.

Patented Nov. 12,1912.

Fig'- 14- G. E. BIGELOW. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE. AILIGATION IILBD11110.30. 1908.

Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

m 9 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WIT/VESSEL?a G. E. BI-GELOW.

v l FABRIG MAKING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED DBO. 30, 190B. 1,043,897. Patented Nos/.12,1913

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

9e/ow 78 Fig'.

Fig- 20- G. E. BIGELOW. FABRIC MAKING MACHINE. APPLIoATIoN rum 11110.30,190s. 1,043,897', Paytqnted Nov. l2, 1912.

' 9 SHEETS-SHEET a.

.Wr s W Y G. E. B''ELGW, mmm MAKING Mmmm. .APLUATlON EIL-ED B20. 30,1902.

aented NWN, 1912,

S SHEETS-SHEET 9.

` ric-Making Machines, of which the follow-` "c rra sfr GEORGE E.BIGELOW, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE MATTATUCKMANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F WATER/BURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 0FCONNECTICUT.

FABRIC-MAKING MACHINE.

i nasse?.

Application led December 30, 1908. Serial Nc.470,059.

T 0 all ywhom it 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. BIGELow, a citizen of the United States,residing at ldaterbury, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improven'ientsn Fabingis a specification.

My'mventl'on relates particularly to ma.- chlnes for making' fabricsconsisting of wire vlinks connected by perforated plates such as areused as'bed springs. The use of the fabric however, is of courseimmaterial and it will be understood that the invention is not limited-to the specific type of fabric herein illustrated.

The particular object of this invention is the automatic connection,assembling or,

weaving of longitudinal strands to produce a fabric.

As bed fabrics are now made by hand in ditl'erent sizes I'have desiredto arrange and construct the machine so as to produce different widthsand lengths of fabrics and fabrics with different lengths of links. Aseries of parallel stands previously formed are intermittently drawnalong by feed def vices while being sufficiently retarded vto keep thestrands straight in proper posit-ion. When the strands are stationarycentering devices engage one plate in each strand and hold the plateswhile the cross links are fed so as to insert the ends of the linksthrough the side holes of the plates. The ends are then bent over so asto permanently connect the strands. The strands are preferably fedthrough the machine in continuous lengths. In order to separate thefabric into the desired lengths I automatically open up the links of thestrands when the proper length has been ,run through so that the lgrammatic vertical sectional view of a machine of my ,inventionshowing-the fabric of Fig. 1 in process of manufacture. Fig. 3 is asimilar plan view, the fabric being shown dotted. Fig. l is a detail endView of one of the devices for centering a plate and rolling over theend of the adjacent cross links. Fig. 5 is a plan View of theSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

machine, parts of the lilik feeding and closing devices being omitted.Fig. G is an elevatio-n taken from the side toward which the cross linksare fed and which willbe called the front of the machine. Fig. 7 is anend elevation taken from the left of Fig. 6. Fig.f

a block vvhichfis mounted on the slide of Fig. 11.I yFig.13 is aperspective view of a holderjnounted on the block 4.of Fig. 12. Fig.`y14 is an end view of themachine from the right of Fig. 5. Fig. 15 is aperspective View of a fragment of a bar with one of a pair of wedges foropeningthe strand links. Fig. 1G is a vertical sectional view showingthe strand guide, tension device, opener and draw-out and the cross linkguide, feed plunger and closer and the plate centerer. Fig. l? is afront view of the same. Fig. 18 is a horizontal section and plan showinga strand guide and separators and the link guide, feed plunger andcloser and a centerer. Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view showing thecross link feeding and closing mechanism. 2O is a planand sectional viewshowing some of the strand guides, the plate centerers and the crosslink feeding and closing devices. Fig. 2l isa vertical section lookingtoward the right. in Fig. 5. Fig, Q2 is a horizontal sectional view ofone of the strand tension devices. Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail planview of the mechas nism for throwing` the strand link opener intohaperti-tici). Fig. 24 is a sectional view and elevation taken from theright of F ig. 23 on the plane of the line 2st-24 of Fig. 223;

Each of the strands from which the fabric is made consists of aplurality of wire links such as' l and 2 connected by perforated platessuch as 3, The ends of the links are hooked into the top and bottomperforations of the plates and clenched over so as to effect a permanentconnectionf' These longitudinally extending strands are connected atintervals by cross links such as down. Usually the marginal strandplates f cross link closing or clenching devices. The

' order to facilitate-examination and comllation to such arrangement.This is the presuch as 5,'5 are triangular since there is no necessityof cross connection therebeyond.

l The strands are' fed downward in the machine herein illustrated 'andthe cross links are fed 4horizontally and the movements of the variousparts will be described with referred form but I Wish it understood thatI consider the invention of a scope broad enough to cover otherdirectional relations except so far 'as the claims are specificallylimited by their terms.

Each strand is continuous and passes through a guide indicated at 6 inFig. 2. A frictional device 7 retards the strand and produces tensionagainst the strand feeding device or draw-out 8. A device 9 which Ishall call a centerer engages each plate at the assembling position andholds it steady while a cross llnk from guide 10 is fed through bytheplunger 11 and cleneled by the presser or closing device 12.Periodically an opener -13 is operated to unbend certain'hooks of thestrand links so that a row of plates can be disconnected and the fabricdivided linto definite lengths. Division could be accomplished bycutting the strands or opening the links by hand, but the method hereinshown is preferred as no metal is wasted and much time is saved andgreater accuracy and uniformity is scoured.

The main shaft 14 is driven in a suitable manner from any source ofpower. A. pinion 15 on this shaft'meshes with a gear 16 on the backshaft 17 and from the latter all the movements are derived eitherdirectly or indirectly as will be hereinafter described. The bevel `ear18 on shaft 17 meshes with and drives bevel gear 19 on cross shaft 2Owhich also has bevel gear 21 and thus drives bevel gear 22 and its shaft23. Shaft 24 (see Figs. 5. 6 and 14) has a pinion 25 on its right handend which is rotated backward and forward by the reciprocating movementof a rack 26 which is carried by a slide- 27 operated by rod 2Sconnected to the crank plate 29 on the back shaft 17. The back shaft 17operates the cross link feedingr devices directly. The end shaft 20operates the strand opening or separating devices. The front shaft 23operates the plate centering devices and the lower shaft 24 operates thestrand feeding 0r draw-out devices.

The different elements will be described undeappropriate paragraphheadings in parison'and to lay a basis for concise and lyetcomprehensive claims.

Strand guz'des.-'l`hese details will be more readily understood byreferring to Figs.- 6, 16.' 17, 18 and 22. Each guide has an upperportion Gabovethe bed or table 30 and leading -to the assembling pointand a lower portion 31 below. The upper portion consists of front andback pieces suitably secured together and so shaped as to provide apassage cross-shaped in horizontal section (see Fig. 18). 'The strandlinks and plates are `guided in this passage. Each `guide is secured inany suitable manner, for instance by one or more screws such as 32, to aholder v33 (see Fig. These holders are so Shaped as to lap by oneanother and thus get a broad bearing against the frame 34k v(see Figs. Gand 17). Each holder is clamped to the frame by bolts such as 35, whichpass through horizontally elongated holes in the holder. lt is thuspossible to adjust the holders horizontally and alter the distancebetween the `fuides to correspond with the distance between the strands.Each lower zQuide 31. has a groove 3G in the front to accommodate thestrand links and is secured to the bar 37 (see Fig. 21) by bolt and slotconnection similar to the clamping` of holder S3 by bolt 85 so that `itis horizontally adjustal'lle.

Stroud tcasioa-This is accomplished as shown in Figs. 1G, 17 and 22. Ashoe 38 in each holder is pressed by a pair of springs such as 3f) so asto cause its grooved portion 7 to bear against the plates of the strandsand cause sufficient friction to retard the strand properly and hold itin position while passingr through the machine.

A pair of posts 40 and 41 are secured in` .holders which also carry theupper strand guides the adjustment of the two is .effected at the sametime.

Srmul fcc/dl 0r /Zmfw-ou. (Sec Figs. G to 13 inclusive aud Figs. 1G andQ10-Between each alternate pair of lower guides 531. 3l. (Fia. (l) is asupport 4i on which a slide 45 (Fig. 1l.) runs. A rack 15' is secured tothis slide and is raised and lowered as the shaft 24. and its pinions 47are rotated back lio and forth. A block 48 (Fig. 12) is adjusti ably/elampcd on each of the two vertical ways 1-9 and 50 on opposite sidesofthe slide Each block 48 has a way 51 on which a holder 52 (Fig. 13) ishorizontally adjustable. n each holder 52 is a plunger havingplate-engaging lingers such' as 8, 8 and press-ed toward the strand byspring 54 (Fig. 8). A pair of inclined arms or guides 55., 55 arecarried by shaft 5G lwhich is pivoted in the stationary bearingV 57.Spring 58 holds shaft 5G and arms yieldingly in the position of Figs. 8and 1G. Wl'lhen the rack 46, slidee, blocks L18, 1 3, holders 527 52-gers arethus retracted and allowed to pass Ove'r the strand plates,snapping back again as the extensions 59, 59 are released above theupper ends of the arms 55, liepetition of thislnovement gives anintermittent feed to the strands and the entire fahric. .A shoe 60,carried by holder 52 serves the machine.

to position the strand and' plates adjacent the draw-out fingers S, 8.The length otl feed stroke may he varied by adjusting the connection oncrank plate 29, Fig. 14. j

:Strand centering. (See Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 16 to 21 inclusive.)4-When thestrands are stationary the cross links 4, 4 are connected. In order toaccomplish this accurately I preter to hold the strand plates 3, 3 whilethe cross link hooks are being inserted in the side holesby what I shallterm centering devices or centerers such as 9, 9. Each centerer has twoprongs 61, 61 which are concave on their upper and lower surfaces andadapted to engage in the upper and lower holes of a plate 3 below andabove the upper and lower' connected strand links respecuvely. 'Theholes in the'plates are considerably larger in diameter than the wire ofwhich the hooks are made and thus leave room for thecenterlng prongs.Each eenA .pterer 9vis carried by a slide 62 (see Fig. 20)

which is guided in a groove inthe hed of The outer end of th-e slide hasa roller 63 which is pressed, by a spring 64, againstaeam--65 on shaft23. As the shaft. rotates, the slide and its centering device is thusreciprocated toward and from the strand and th us engages each strandplate as it is brought into position by thc strand feeding or draw-outmechanism. An anvil (SG having a vertical groove in alinement with thelink receiving groove ot' the strand guide serves as an abutment t'orthe strand links and plate while the centerer is advancing. .The lowerend ($7 of the strand guide projects down close to the` centercr andserves to hold back or strip the strand plate from the prongs of thecenterer as the latter isn'etracted. Preferably the eenterer 9 is secured to thel slide (S2 by bolts und slots (see Fig. 20) so that it canbc adjusted horizontally to corresj'mnd with the position of the strandguide.

Urosa-Zink guides. (See Figs. 16 and l8.)'-The links which are toconnect the strands are previously formed on a suitable machine fromwirc and supplied on `guides such 10, l'O, the ends of each link beinghook-shaped as shown in- Fig. 18. The guides are appropriately shaped incross sec- `tobe displaced and so tail to feed properly.

Each guide 10 is secured to the cross bar 70 in any suitable mannerpermitting horizontal adjustment to correspond with the spaces betweenthe strand guides (3, (S (see Fig. 20). Beneath each side of the loaferend ot a link guide is a platform 71 to support the bottom link as it isbeing 'ted to the strands. A vertical liange 72 on each side ot a guideserves to prevent the lateral displacement ot the cross links duringfeeding. Each ot these fianges 72 carries two ot' the platforms such as71 and they constitute what l term a. separator. These separators areadjustably secured to the bed of the machine and support the lower endsot' the strand guides.

Cross link' feed. (See Figs. 2, 3, 5, le. 1S, 19 and 20.)-`-\`\lhile thestrands are held by the centering devices 9, 9 the cross link'sare fedfrom beneath the guidesI 10,1` 10 by plungers such as 11, 11. Theflanges olf' each plunger slide on the platforms 71, 71 ot' the adjacentseparators. The 'end of' each plunger is grooved to tit the links better(see Fig. 2). lhe plunger-s are carried ny slides, such as 75, 7G.which. are guided in grooves in the bed of the machine. .'Preferably thepl angers are securedto the slides by bolts and slots, as shown in Fig.20, so as to permit adjustment. Each slide, as 76, may carry one plungeror, as 75, two plungers. A roller 77 carried byl each slide engages acam such as 78 or 79. Cam 78 being` of the box type operates the slideforward and back. while cam 79 operates slide 7.6 only forward, a spring80 retracting it. A linger 81 holds the links 4 when the feed plunger 11is retracted.

Urosa Zin/f: closing. (See Figs. 3, and 16 to 2() inclusivc.)'l`heclosing movement comprises two steps viz: first, rolling over or bendingthe ends ot' the hooks slightly 'and second, clenching the hooks down sothat passed through the holes, the epds engage ,these surthe inclinedsurfaces S2, 82. faces are preferably carried by or 'formed in theadjacent centerers 9,`9. thus rolled or bent over as the links moveforward; The Vtinal clem-.hing ettected by the plungers l2, l2 which arebrought into action while the vtced plunger-s l1, 1l are still pressingagainst the links. Each clenching plunger is carried by a slide tI-which is guided in a groove in the bed ot the machine and has a roller'S4 pressed by a spring 85 against a cam 8G on shaft 23. The end of eachplunger 12 is preferably grooved as shown in Fig. 16 so as to tit thelink and prevent the'v hooks turning sidewise. The connection between aplunger 12 and slide 83 is preferably by'screws and slots as shown inFig. 20 so as to permit the clenching plungers to be adjusted to correspond with the feed plungers 11, 11.

Strand opener. (See Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 23 and 24.)-It ispreferred to run the strands into the machine and out again incontinuous lengths. The strand links are so clenched on the plates as at90, 90, (Fig. 2) that they cannot be disengaged except by prying openthe hooked ends. This I accomplish automatically at intervals dependingupon 4the desired length of the fabrics. A bed fabric may be say sixteenlinks or meshes long, in which event. the hooks connecting everysixteenth plate will be partially opened as by wedges 91,91. This doesnot sever the strand or alter-the character of its movement but simplypermits 'the ready removal of the link at that point after the fabrichas passed out of the machine. Definite points of' division are thusprovided. A pair of wedges is mounted upon a holder 92 and adjustablevvertically to correspond with the length of the strand links. A seriesof these holders is carried by the opener bar 13 at intervalscorresponding to the horizontal distance between strands. The opener baris suitably guided in the frame of the machine and reciprocated atintervals-say as in this case every sixteenth stroke ofthe strand feedor draw-out. The strand guides are recessed as shown in Fig. 17 to allowthe wedges to engage the strand links While the links aresupported inthe guides. The periodic movement of the opener is effected through atrain of mechanism driven from the end shaft 20. Gear 93 on this shaftmeshes with gear 94 on the counter-shaft 95 and drives the latter andalso its clutch member 96 continuously. The other clutch member 97 isloose on the shaft and is held disengaged from clutch member 96 most ofthe time. Springs such as 98 (dotted in Fig. 23) press the clutch member97 toward the clutch member 96 but the cam 99 fixed on member 97 isintercepted by the plunger 100 except when the strand opening opener isto take place. The`eceentric 101 rotates with the clutch member 97 butdoes not slide longitudinally on the shaft 95. Eccentric strap 102 isconnected by rod 103 to the bar 13. The shaft 20 operates mech'- anismwhich periodically disengages plunger 100 from cani 99 and allowssprings 98 to throw clutch, member .97 into engagement with clutchmember 96. Eccentric 104 on shaft has -a strap 105 and rod 106 connectedso as to rock thearm 107 back and forth as the shaft rotates. The s rinpressed paWl 108 is carried by arm 10 an operates the ratchet 4109 stepby step. The.

' saidlinks,

plunger 100 and throws it to the right see Fig. 24) thus releasing cam99 and allowing the clutch to come into action. 4 The clutch beinginterlocked, power is transmitted osit-ively through shaft 20, gears93Qand 94, c utch members 96 and 97, eccentric 101, strap 102, rod 103and opener bar 13 to open the strand links. As soon as the trigger 110escapes to the right and below stop 111, the spring 112 throws theplunger back against the hub of clutch member 97 (see Fig. When the cam99 gets around again its nose engages the inclined nose of plunger 100and forces the clutch member 97 again (to the right in Fig.23) out ofengagement With clutch member 96 Where it remains until trigger 110again trips the plunger 100. The parts are so designed that the numberof teeth on ratchet 109 corresponds -with the number of meshesdetermined in the fabric by the action of thestrand opener. Any lengthof fabric canthus be easily regulated by changing the ratchet.

What I claim is:

1. A metal fabric making machine comprising means for feeding a seriesof strands, means for feeding hooked links transversely to the plane ofsaid strands to connect parallel strands, and abutments for vbending theends of saidlinks When held by said link feeding means.v v l' 2. A metalfabric making machine comprising means for feeding a series of strandshaving perforated plates,

links to connect said plates, and fingers for centering the plates whilebeing connected;

3'. A metal fabric making machine comprising means for feedinga seriesof strands, means for feeding links to connect said strands, means forcentering the strands while being connected, and -abutments for meansfor feeding closing the links while the strands are cenj tered. l

4. A -:metal fabric making' machine comprising means for feeding aseries of strands,

plungers for feeding links to connect saidv means for then bending theends of and automatic means for opening some of the strand links atintervals oo permit separation. i

5. In a fabric making machine, a plurality of strand guides adjustableto and from each other, a plurality of similarly adjustable link guides,and means for feeding links therefrom to connect said strands.

6. In a fabric making mach'ne, a. plurality of adjustable strand guides,strand feeding devices adjustable to correspond therewith, and means forfeeding links to connect said strands at intervals. i

'7. In a fabric making machine, adjustable strand guides, strand feedingdevices, and adjustable means for'opening the strand links. 1

8. In a fabric making machine, adjustable strands,

strand guides, adjustable centering devices,

and means for feeding links to connectthestrands.

9. In a fabric making machine, adjustable guides having link guidinggrooves and' plate guiding grooves, link feeders, strand feeders, andmeans for frictibn'ally retarding the strands.

1 13. In a fabric making machine, strand feeding devices, means foroperating them to feed the strands -intermit-tently, prongs.

for opening the strand links, and means' for operating said openingprongs once for a plurality of operations of the strand feeding means.

14:. In a fabric making machine, strand guides, link feedingl devices onone side thereof, and link closing. devices on the opposite side.,

15. In a fabric making machine, strand guides, -link feeding devices onone side thereof, link closingdevices on the opposite side, and camshafts with cams for operating said feeding and closing devicesalternately. r 16. In a fabric making machine, a strand guide and afeeding device comprising a p' pairof pins adapted to engage the edgesof a strandplate, means for moving said pins longitudinally of saidguide, and means for retracting said pins.

17. A strand feeding devicercomprising a plunger, means carried therebyfor engaging a lportion of the strand, means for moving said plunger soas to feed the strand, an inclined guide to retract said plunger on thereturn stroke, said guide being retracted on the feeding stroke to allowthe plunger to 18. A strand feeding device comprising a plunger having astrand engaging portion andV a pair vof side arms, an inclined guide.lifted on the feeding stroke to permit the arms to pass and serving tolift said armsvto retract said plunger on the return stroke.v

19. In a fabric makingmachine, strand guides, a transversely movablebar, link op ners carried thereby, and means for periodically operatingsaid bar.

O. In a fabric making machine, adjust abl strand guides, a transverselymovable bar, adjustable link openers carried thereby,

and means for operating said bar.

21. ,In a fabric making machine, strand guides and feeding means,centering devices for enteringthe upper and lower plate holes,

Y yandI means for inserting t-he hooks of cross links into the sideholes of the plates.

22. IIn afabric making machine, strand guides and feeding means,centering devices for entering the upper and lower plate holes, meansfor inserting the hooks of cross llinks into thev slide holes of theplates, and

means for closing the hooks.

93. In a 'fabric making machine, centering pins for entering two holesof each plate `and means for feeding links so as to insert ltheir hooksinto the unoccupied plate holes.

p24. In a 'fabric making machine, 'centering for entering two holes 'ofeach plate, means 4forfeeding links so as to insert their hooks" intothe unoccupied plate holes, and means for closing the hooks.

25. In a fabric making machine, centering pins for entering two holes ofeach'plate, means for feeding links so as to insert their hooks into theunoccupied plate holes, and 'means for closing the.. hooks while soccntered.

26. In afabric making machine, strand guides, centering devices, link,feeders, means for bending the hooks as they are insertedin the plateopenings, and means for closing the hooks.

Q7. In a fabric making machine, strand guides, means -for feeding hookedlinks, plungers having projectionsfor centering the strand plates andalso hook bending portions, closing devices, and means for operatingsaid plungers and closing devices Successively. l

28. -In a fabric making machine, vertical strand guides and feedingdevices, horizontally acting link feeders, and oppositely actinglinkclosers. l

Q9. In a fabric making machine, vertical strand guides and feedingdevices, horizontally acting link feeders, and oppositely actingcentering devices and link closers.

30. In a machine of the character escribed, parallel guides forperforated plates, a link guide 'arran ged adj a'centthereto, and meansfor feeding a hooked link from said guide to engage two platessimultaneouslv 31. In a 'fabric making machine, a com.

i'io j plates, means for feeding said strand step b y step, and meansfor automatically opening one of the hooks after a predetermined memberof feeding actions.

34. In a fabric machine, parallel strand guides, link supply guidesopposite the in terval between said strand guides, and means for feedinglinks from said link supply guides to engage the strands.

35. In a fabric machine, parallel strand guides, link supply guidesopposite the interval between said strand guides, means for feedinglinks from said link supply guides t0 engage the strands, and means forbending the hooks of the links.

36. In a `fabric machine, strand guides, a transversely movable bar, andpairs of prongs carried by said bar for opening strand links.

37. In a fabric machine, strand guides, a transversely movable bar, andpairs of prongs carried by said bar for opening strand links, the prongsof each pair being adjustable relative to each other.

38. In an assembling machine, link supply guides, plate centering prongsarranged opposite the interval between said guides, and

`means for feeding hooked links from said guides to engage platescentered by said prongs.

39. In an assembling machine, link-sup'- ply guides, plate centeringprongs arranged opposite the interval between said guides, means forlfeeding hooked links fromsaid guides to engage plates centered by saidprongs, and means for closing the hooks of the links.

40. In an assembling machine, link supply guides, plate 'centeringprongs arranged op posite the interval between said guides, means forfeeding hooked links from said guides to engage plates centered by saidprongs, and cam shoulders for bending the hooks as the links are fed.

4l. In an assembling machine, link supply guides, plate centering prongsarranged opposite the interval between said guides. means for feedingh'ooked links from said guides to engage plates centered by said prongs,cam shoulders for bending the hooks as the links are fed, and means forclosing the 'bent hooks..

42. In an assembling machine, platecentering prongs and means forclosing bent link hooks While the plates are centered.

GEORGE E. BIGELOW.

